Frost Dates for Phoenix, AZ 85085
Phoenix has 43 ZIP codes. The Phoenix, AZ frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost February 6 · First fall frost December 11 · 308 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 85085 has about 31,500 people, one of 43 ZIP codes in Phoenix.
Very long season: 308 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans December 22–February 28 (68 days). Fall frost risk spans November 18–January 4 (47 days).
Frost probability for 85085
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | February 28 | February 6 | December 22 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 18 | December 11 | January 4 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CAREFREE (17.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 308-day season in Phoenix
In Phoenix (308 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 2 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 266 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 20. | Aug 11 |
| Pepper | Dec 26 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 266 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 20. | Aug 16 |
| Lettuce | Dec 12 | Jan 9–Jan 16 | 343 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 9 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 20 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 16–Jan 23 | 350 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 350 available after Jan 16. | Oct 9 |
| Cucumber | Jan 16 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Beans | — | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 21 |
| Peas | — | Dec 12–Feb 20 | 371 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 371 available after Dec 12. | Sep 30 |
| Zucchini | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Onion | Nov 14 | Jan 9–Jan 23 | 343 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 343 available after Jan 9. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 12–Jan 30 | 385 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 12 and again by Nov 8; both mature before Jan 1. | Nov 8 |
| Kale | Nov 28 | Jan 9–Jan 23 | 357 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 9 and again by Oct 24; both mature before Jan 1. | Oct 24 |
| Broccoli | Dec 12 | Jan 9–Jan 23 | 343 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 343 available after Jan 9. | Sep 15 |
| Cabbage | Dec 12 | Jan 9–Jan 23 | 357 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 357 available after Jan 9. | Oct 9 |
| Radish | — | Dec 12–Mar 6 | 371 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 12 and again by Nov 9; both mature before Dec 18. | Nov 9 |
| Beets | — | Dec 12–Mar 6 | 371 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 12 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 23–Jan 30 | 329 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 329 available after Jan 23. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 11 | 413 | overwinter: Plant Dec 11 to Jan 1; harvest the following summer. | Jan 1 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 2–Feb 27 | 364 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 2; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 9 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 280 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 280 available after Feb 13. | Aug 23 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Feb 20 | 273 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 273 available after Feb 20. | Jul 29 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 26 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 322 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 322 available after Jan 30. | Sep 20 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 12 | Jan 23–Jan 23 | 329 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 12–Mar 6 | 385 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 12 and again by Nov 8; both mature before Jan 1. | Nov 8 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 12 | Jan 9–Jan 23 | 357 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 357 available after Jan 9. | Sep 9 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 273 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 273 available after Feb 20. | Jul 29 |
| Eggplant | Dec 19 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 266 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 20. | Aug 21 |
| Okra | Jan 9 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Basil | Jan 2 | Feb 27–Feb 27 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 9–Jan 30 | 343 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 9 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 15 |
| Parsley | Nov 28 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 308 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 308 available after Feb 13. | Sep 25 |
| Celery | Nov 28 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 308 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 308 available after Feb 13. | Aug 6 |
| Scallions | Nov 28 | Jan 9–Jan 23 | 357 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 9 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Jan 1. | Oct 19 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 9–Jan 23 | 357 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 9 and again by Oct 29; both mature before Jan 1. | Oct 29 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Dec 26–Jan 9 | 371 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 26 and again by Oct 24; both mature before Jan 1. | Oct 24 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 9 | Jan 30–Feb 6 | 322 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 20 |
| Collards | Nov 28 | Jan 9–Jan 23 | 357 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 9 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Jan 1. | Oct 19 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 266 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 20. | Aug 6 |
| Chives | Nov 14 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 322 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 322 available after Feb 13. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 12–Mar 6 | 371 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 12 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Oregano | Nov 28 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 322 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 322 available after Feb 13. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 14 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 308 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 308 available after Feb 13. | — |
| Sage | Dec 12 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 322 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 322 available after Feb 13. | — |
| Thyme | Nov 28 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 322 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 322 available after Feb 13. | — |
| Calendula | Dec 26 | Jan 23–Feb 6 | 329 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 15 |
| Cosmos | Jan 9 | Feb 6–Feb 20 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Lavender | Nov 14 | Feb 6–Feb 20 | 329 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 329 available after Feb 6. | — |
| Marigolds | Dec 26 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 24 |
| Melons | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 266 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 20. | Aug 6 |
| Mint | — | Feb 6–Feb 20 | 329 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 329 available after Feb 6. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 9 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 287 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 287 available after Feb 13. | Sep 9 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 273 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 273 available after Feb 20. | Aug 8 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 6–Feb 20 | 294 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 294 available after Feb 6. | Sep 4 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 12 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 273 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 273 available after Feb 13. | Aug 16 |
| Watermelon | Jan 23 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 273 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 273 available after Feb 13. | Aug 11 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Zinnias | Jan 9 | Feb 6–Feb 20 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
Month by month in Phoenix
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Basil (Jan 2), Tomato (Jan 2), Bok Choy (Jan 9), Corn (Jan 9), Cosmos (Jan 9), Nasturtiums (Jan 9), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Jan 9), Turnip (Jan 9), Carrots (Jan 16), Potatoes (Jan 23). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 9), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 9), Cabbage (Jan 9), Collards (Jan 9), Kale (Jan 9), Lettuce (Jan 9), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 2). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Jan 1). |
| February | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Feb 6), Beans (Feb 13), Pole Beans (Feb 13). Transplant from: Cosmos (Feb 6), Lavender (Feb 6), Marigolds (Feb 6), Mint (Feb 6), Nasturtiums (Feb 6), Zinnias (Feb 6), +23 more. Last frost around February 6. |
| March | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| April | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| May | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| June | Midsummer: harvest beans, zucchini, cucumbers. Start brassica seeds indoors for fall. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 29), Pumpkin (Jul 29). |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Aug 6), Celery (Aug 6), Melons (Aug 6), Spaghetti Squash (Aug 8), Tomato (Aug 11), Watermelon (Aug 11), +4 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Sep 4), Brussel Sprouts (Sep 9), Pole Beans (Sep 9), Basil (Sep 14), Cosmos (Sep 14), Cucumber (Sep 14), +11 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Oct 9), Carrots (Oct 9), Beets (Oct 10), Dill (Oct 10), Swiss Chard (Oct 10), Calendula (Oct 15), +8 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 14), Lavender (Nov 14), Onion (Nov 14), Rosemary (Nov 14), Celery (Nov 28), Collards (Nov 28), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Arugula (Nov 8), Spinach (Nov 8), Radish (Nov 9). |
| December | Start indoors: Broccoli (Dec 12), Brussel Sprouts (Dec 12), Cabbage (Dec 12), Lettuce (Dec 12), Sage (Dec 12), Swiss Chard (Dec 12), +6 more. Direct sow from: Garlic (Dec 11), Arugula (Dec 12), Beets (Dec 12), Dill (Dec 12), Peas (Dec 12), Radish (Dec 12), +2 more. First frost around December 11. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Phoenix, AZ (ZIP 85085)?
The median last spring frost date for Phoenix, AZ (ZIP code 85085) is around February 6. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before December 22; one in ten it runs past February 28.
What is the first fall frost date in Phoenix, AZ?
The median first fall frost date for Phoenix, AZ is around December 11. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around November 18 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Phoenix, AZ?
The frost-free growing season in Phoenix is about 308 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Phoenix (308 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Phoenix, AZ?
Phoenix, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 9b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Phoenix, AZ?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 2 and plant out Feb 20 in Phoenix. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Phoenix?
Two: plant Jan 9 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 18.
When do I plant garlic in Phoenix?
Dec 11 to Jan 1; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Phoenix?
Yes: plant out Feb 20 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 11 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Phoenix, AZ 85032 (9.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Cave Creek, AZ 85331 (11.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Scottsdale, AZ 85254 (12 mi)
- Frost dates for New River, AZ 85087 (12.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Peoria, AZ 85383 (14.3 mi)
- When to plant in Phoenix, AZ: month-by-month guide
- When to plant in AZ
- When to plant Peppers in AZ
- When to plant Cucumbers in AZ
- When to plant Zucchini in AZ
- When to plant Butternut Squash in AZ
- When to plant Basil in AZ
- When to plant Sweet Corn in AZ
- Look up another ZIP